Compositions of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors and radiation for inhibition or prevention of cardiovascular disease

ABSTRACT

A method is provided for the prevention or inhibition of cardiovascular disease by a method comprising the administration of a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and a dose of radiation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/294,077 filed on May 29, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention provides a method for the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease. More particularly, the invention is directed toward a method for the treatment or prevention of restenosis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality in the world. Many cardiac disorders (e.g., coronary artery disease [CAD], systemic hypertension, bicuspid aortic valve, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse) have a heritable basis. Although the precise pathogenesis of CAD is unclear, the risk factors are well known: high blood levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein a, low blood levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum vitamin E, and poor physical fitness. High blood levels of triglycerides and insulin reflecting insulin resistance may be risk factors, but the data are less clear. CAD risk is increased by tobacco use; diets high in fat and calories and low in phytochemicals (found in fruits and vegetables), fiber, and vitamins E and C, or diets with relatively low levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); poor stress management; and inactivity. Several systemic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism) are also associated with increased CAD risk.

[0004] Iscehmic heart disease due to coronary artery stenosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Reversal and control of coronary artery disease was originally accomplished through the use of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) techniques developed in the 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, an additional treatment method became available with the development of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Over 400,000 angioplasties are now performed each year in the United States alone.

[0005] Although successful in treating coronary artery disease, a recurring problem with angioplasty has been the occurrence of restenosis. Restenosis has been called the “Achilles' heel” of PTCA. Studies have shown that without intervention, 30%-60% of angioplasties will restenose. The mechanism contributing to restenosis after PTCA include 1) elastic recoil; 2) mural thrombosis with thrombus organization; 3) smooth muscle cell migration, proliferation, and synthesis of extracellular matrix; and 4) late vessel cross-sectional constriction or shrinkage (negative remodeling).

[0006] The first component, recoil and remodeling, involves the mechanical collapse and constriction of the treated vessel and does not seem to progress much beyond the first day of treatment. The second component, thrombosis, involves a complex interaction among many hemostatic factors that are triggered following vascular injury. This component has been implicated as a major early mechanism underlying restenosis. The third component involves intimal hyperplasia, which is the proliferative response to injury and consists largely of smooth muscle cell and matrix formation. This process begins within a few days after vessel injury and continues for weeks to months until equilibrium between the vessel wall and lumen is achieved. When excessive, intimal hyperplasia can result in severe luminal renarrowing. The fourth component, negative remodeling, appears to be analogous to wound contracture and may be related to contraction of the periadventitual fibroelastic scar.

[0007] The rate of restenosis dropped significantly with the development in the 1990s of endovascular stenting techniques, which addressed the problem of mechanical collapse and contraction. The use of stents has been shown to decrease the incidence of restenosis by approximately 30%. Stents, however, do not address the problem of intimal hyperplasia and may even exacerbate the problem by causing local inflammation and damage to the intimal wall or myointimal junction. Restenosis is especially a problem in situations involving small vessels, ostial lesions, complex long and bifurcating lesions, vein grafts, and diffuse in-stent restenosis.

[0008] Recently the local application of radiation or brachytherapy has been used to prevent restenosis. The use of radiation to prevent restenosis is derived from the concept that restenosis is a proliferative wound healing process and proliferating cells are sensitive to low dose radiation. It is well known in the art that ionizing radiation is a potent anti-proliferative agent for both malignant and benign disorders and the use of radiation to modify the wound healing response has been well documented.

[0009] Radiation can be delivered over a sustained period using implantable devices such as stents containing radioactive isotopes or can be delivered transiently by insertion of a radioactive device at the site of angioplasty for a time sufficient to provide an anti-proliferative dose of radiation. Numerous implantable devices to prevent restenosis are known in the art. Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,871,437 and 6,159,142 that disclose a stent coated with a biodegradable coating containing a radioactive source; U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,126, which discloses a stent coated with a radiopaque material containing a beta-emitting radioisotope; U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,789, which discloses a stent coated with a biocompatible material having a radioactive material dispersed therein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,037, which discloses a metal stent containing stable radioactive isotopes with a half-life of less than two months; U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,963, which discloses a temporarily implantable brachytherapy device; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,313, which discloses an implantable device coated with a chelator selected for its bonding affinity to a particular radioisotope.

[0010] Transient administration of anti-proliferative radiation is typically accomplished by insertion into the coronary artery of a catheter, ribbon or other such device for a time adequate to deliver a dose of radiation sufficient to prevent intimal hyperplasia. Examples of devices for the transient delivery of radiation include U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,580; U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,996; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,256.

[0011] Although the previously discussed examples have involved the use of beta or gamma radiation, ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation can also be used. Examples of the application of UV radiation include U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,033; U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,864; U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,438; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,307.

[0012] Restenosis is also thought to involve an inflammatory component. Damage to the arterial wall during arterial procedures such as angioplasty and arterial grafting, leads to the release of proinflammatory compounds such as cytokines from macrophages. It has been hypothesized that the ability of radiation to prevent restenosis is due, in part, to the effect of the radiation on inflammatory cells. For example, Rubin et al., (Intl. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys., 40:929-941, 1998) reported a reduction in monocytes and adventitial macrophages after irradiation of balloon injured rat carotids, corresponding to decreased intimal hyperplasia.

[0013] Because of the inflammatory component of restenosis, several anti-inflammatories have been used. For example, Rab et al. (J. Am Coll. Cardiol., 18:1524-1528, 1991) administered glucocorticoids with or without colchicine to patients receiving stents and reported an increase in the incidence of coronary artery aneurysms. Valero et al. (J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol., 31:513-519, 1998), introduced hydrocortisone-loaded microspheres into the arterial walls of rabbits during angioplasty. They reported that hydrocortisone-loaded microspheres were associated with a significant reduction in intimal hyperplasia. Strecker et al. (Cardiovasc. Intervent. Radiol., 21:487-496, 1998), reported that dexamethasone-coated stents showed reduced neointimal hyperplasia in dogs when compared to non-coated stents. In contrast, Lee et al. (Am. Heart J., 138:304, 1999), reported that single dose pretreatment with intravenous methylpridnisolone before coronary stenting had no effect on the change in minimal lumen diameter at 6 months.

[0014] Non-steroidal anti inflammatories have also been used to decrease restenosis. Chaldakov (Med. Hypotheses, 37:74-75, 1992) proposed the use of the anti-inflammatories sulfasalazine, griseofulvin and colchicine to lessen coronary restenosis after angioplasty. Huang et al. (Eur. J. Pharmacol., 221:381-384, 1992), reported that curcumin, an anti-inflammatory agent from Curcuma longa, reduced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. Ishiwata et al. (J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 35:1331-1337, 2000) reported that orally administered N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (tranilast) resulted in a lower rate of restenosis in stent implanted pig arteries. In contrast, Grinstead et al. (Coron. Artery Dis. 4:277-281, 1993) found that oral administration of aniprilose hydrochloride, a synthetic carbohydrate with anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties did not prevent coronary intimal proliferation in the swine model of restenosis. None of these references disclose or suggest the use of radiation in combination with anti-inflammatories to prevent restenosis.

[0015] Prostaglandins play a major role in the inflammation process and the inhibition of prostaglandin production, especially production of PGG₂, PGH₂ and PGE₂, has been a common target of anti-inflammatory drug discovery. However, common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) that are active in reducing the prostaglandin-induced pain and swelling associated with the inflammation process are also active in affecting other prostaglandin-regulated processes not associated with the inflammation process. Thus, use of high doses of most common NSAID's can produce severe side effects, including life-threatening ulcers that limit their therapeutic potential. An alternative to NSAID's is the use of corticosteroids, which also produce severe adverse effects, especially when long-term therapy is involved and whose usefulness in preventing restenosis has been questioned (Kong, Am. Heart J., 138:3-4, 1999).

[0016] NSAID's have been found to prevent the production of prostaglandins by inhibiting enzymes in the human arachidonic acid/prostaglandin pathway, including the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). The recent discovery of an inducible enzyme associated with inflammation (named “cyclooxygenase-2 ” or “prostaglandin G/H synthase II”) provides a viable target of inhibition, which more effectively reduces inflammation and produces fewer and less drastic side effects.

[0017] Compounds that selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,380,738; 5,344,991; 5,393,790; 5,434,178; 5,474,995; 5,510,368 and WO documents WO96/06840, WO96/03388, WO96/03387, WO96/19469, WO96/25405, WO95/15316, WO94/15932, WO94/27980, WO95/00501, WO94/13635, WO94/20480, and WO94/26731.

[0018] [Pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamides have been described as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 and have shown promise in the treatment of inflammation, arthritis, and pain, with minimal side effects in pre-clinical and clinical trials. Their use for treating inflammation in vascular disease has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,823. Their use for preventing cardiovascular-related diseases has been described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/402,634.

[0019] The present inventive discovery is directed to the use of selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 in combination with radiation for the prevention of restenosis (intimal hyperplasia) following vascular intravention. More specifically, this inventive discovery relates to the use of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof in combination with radiation for preventing restenosis following coronary artery intervention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Among the several aspects of the invention is provided a method for the inhibition or prevention of cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising, the method comprising administering to the subject a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof and a dose of radiation.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises a compound of the formula:

[0022] wherein n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

[0023] wherein G is O, S or NR^(a);

[0024] wherein R^(a) is alkyl;

[0025] wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H and aryl;

[0026] wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, arinocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl;

[0027] wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from alkylthio, nitro and alkylsulfonyl; and

[0028] wherein each R⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino, heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro, amino, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl, heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl, heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, hydroxyarylcarbonyl, nitroaryl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyl;

[0029] or wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical;

[0030] or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof.

[0031] In another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof comprises a compound of the formula:

[0032] wherein A is selected from the group consisting of partially unsaturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl and partially unsaturated or unsaturated carbocyclic rings;

[0033] wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl, wherein R¹ is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo, alkoxy and alkylthio;

[0034] wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of methyl or amino; and

[0035] wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of a radical selected from H, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, oxo, cyano, carboxyl, cyanoalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, haloalkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkenyl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, acyl, alkylthioalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, aralkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aralkylthioalkyl, aralkoxyalkyl, alkoxyaralkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, N-arylaminocarbonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkylamino, N-arylamino, N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl, N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, aryloxy, aralkoxy, arylthio, aralkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, N-arylaminosulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminosulfonyl.

[0036] In yet another embodiment, the cell proliferation preventing or inhibiting radiation comprises alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, X-rays, ultra violet rays, or any combination of the proceeding.

[0037] In another embodiment the dose of cell proliferation preventing or inhibiting radiation is between about 3 Gray and about 60 Gray.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is administered during a continuous period beginning prior to administration of the radiation and ending after administration of the radiation.

[0039] In still a further embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is administered during a continuous period beginning on the same day as the beginning of the radiation therapy and extending to a period after the end of the radiation therapy.

[0040] Abbreviations and Definitions

[0041] The term “prevention” includes either preventing the onset of clinically evident restenosis altogether or preventing the onset of a preclinically evident stage of restenosis in individuals. This definition includes prophylactic treatment.

[0042] The term “inhibition” as used herein means to prevent or decrease the severity of restenosis as compared to that which would occur in the absence of the application of the method of the present invention.

[0043] The phrase “therapeutically-effective” is intended to qualify the amount of each agent which will achieve the goal of improvement in disorder severity and the frequency of incidence over no treatment or treatment of each agent by itself, while avoiding adverse side effects typically associated with alternative therapies.

[0044] The phrase “cell proliferation inhibiting” means an amount that causes or results in a rate of cell proliferation that is less than that which would have occurred in the absence of the application of the present method.

[0045] The term “subject” for purposes of treatment includes any human or animal subject who is susceptible to intimal hyperplasia or restenosis. The subject can be a domestic livestock species, a laboratory animal species, a zoo animal or a companion animal. In one embodiment, the subject is a human being.

[0046] The term “cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor” denotes a compound able to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 without significant inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1. Preferably, it includes compounds that have a cyclooxygenase-2 IC₅₀ of less than about 0.2 micro molar, and also have a selectivity ratio of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition over cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition of at least 50, and more preferably of at least 100. Even more preferably, the compounds have a cyclooxygenase-1 IC₅₀ of greater than about 1 micro molar, and more preferably of greater than 10 micro molar. Inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase pathway in the metabolism of arachidonic acid used in the present method may inhibit enzyme activity through a variety of mechanisms. By the way of example, and without limitation, the inhibitors used in the methods described herein may block the enzyme activity directly by acting as a substrate for the enzyme.

[0047] The term “hydrido” denotes a single hydrogen atom (H). This hydrido radical may be attached, for example, to an oxygen atom to form a hydroxyl radical or two hydrido radicals may be attached to a carbon atom to form a methylene (—CH2—) radical.

[0048] Where used, either alone or within other terms such as “haloalkyl”, “alkylsulfonyl”, “alkoxyalkyl” and “hydroxyalkyl”, the term “alkyl” embraces linear or branched radicals having one to about twenty carbon atoms or, preferably, one to about twelve carbon atoms. More preferred alkyl radicals are “lower alkyl” radicals having one to about ten carbon atoms. Most preferred are lower alkyl radicals having one to about six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl and the like.

[0049] The term “alkenyl” embraces linear or branched radicals having at least one carbon-carbon double bond of two to about twenty carbon atoms or, preferably, two to about twelve carbon atoms. More preferred alkyl radicals are “lower alkenyl” radicals having two to about six carbon atoms. Examples of alkenyl radicals include ethenyl, propenyl, allyl, propenyl, butenyl and 4-methylbutenyl.

[0050] The term “alkynyl” denotes linear or branched radicals having two to about twenty carbon atoms or, preferably, two to about twelve carbon atoms. More preferred alkynyl radicals are “lower alkynyl” radicals having two to about ten carbon atoms. Most preferred are lower alkynyl radicals having two to about six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include propargyl, butynyl, and the like.

[0051] The terms “alkenyl”, “lower alkenyl”, embrace radicals having “cis” and “trans” orientations, or alternatively, “E” and “Z” orientations. The term “cycloalkyl” embraces saturated carbocyclic radicals having three to twelve carbon atoms. More preferred cycloalkyl radicals are “lower cycloalkyl” radicals having three to about eight carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

[0052] The term “cycloalkenyl” embraces partially unsaturated carbocyclic radicals having three to twelve carbon atoms. More preferred cycloalkenyl radicals are “lower cycloalkenyl” radicals having four to about eight carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, and cyclohexenyl.

[0053] The term “halo” means halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

[0054] The term “haloalkyl” embraces radicals wherein any one or more of the alkyl carbon atoms is substituted with halo as defined above. Specifically embraced are monohaloalkyl, dihaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl radicals. A monohaloalkyl radical, for one example, may have either an iodo, bromo, chloro or fluoro atom within the radical. Dihalo and polyhaloalkyl radicals may have two or more of the same halo atoms or a combination of different halo radicals. “Lower haloalkyl” embraces radicals having 1-6 carbon atoms. Examples of haloalkyl radicals include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl and dichloropropyl.

[0055] The term “hydroxyalkyl” embraces linear or branched alkyl radicals having one to about ten carbon atoms any one of which may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl radicals. More preferred hydroxyalkyl radicals are “lower hydroxyalkyl” radicals having one to six carbon atoms and one or more hydroxyl radicals. Examples of such radicals include hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl and hydroxyhexyl.

[0056] The terms “alkoxy” and “alkyloxy” embrace linear or branched oxy-containing radicals each having alkyl portions of one to about ten carbon atoms. More preferred alkoxy radicals are “lower alkoxy” radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy and tert-butoxy.

[0057] The term “alkoxyalkyl” embraces alkyl radicals having one or more alkoxy radicals attached to the alkyl radical, that is, to form monoalkoxyalkyl and dialkoxyalkyl radicals. The “alkoxy” radicals may be further substituted with one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide haloalkoxy radicals. More preferred haloalkoxy radicals are “lower haloalkoxy” radicals having one to six carbon atoms and one or more halo radicals. Examples of such radicals include fluoromethoxy, chloromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, fluoroethoxy and fluoropropoxy.

[0058] The term “aryl”, alone or in combination, means a carbocyclic aromatic system containing one, two or three rings wherein such rings may be attached together in a pendent manner or may be fused. The term “aryl” embraces aromatic radicals such as phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indane and biphenyl. Aryl moieties may also be substituted at a substitutable position with one or more substituents selected independently from alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, alkoxy, aralkoxy, hydroxyl, amino, halo, nitro, alkylamino, acyl, cyano, carboxy, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl and aralkoxycarbonyl.

[0059] The term “heterocyclyl” embraces saturated, partially unsaturated and unsaturated heteroatom-containing ring-shaped radicals, where the heteroatoms may be selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Examples of saturated heterocyclyl radicals include saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocylic group containing 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms (e.g. pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidino, piperazinyl, etc.); saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g. morpholinyl, etc.); saturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g., thiazolidinyl, etc.). Examples of partially unsaturated heterocyclyl radicals include dihydrothiophene, dihydropyran, dihydrofuran and dihydrothiazole.

[0060] The term “heteroaryl” embraces unsaturated heterocyclyl radicals. Examples of unsaturated heterocyclyl radicals, also termed “heteroaryl” radicals include unsaturated 3 to 6 membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms, for example, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazolyl (e.g., 4H-1,2,4-triazolyl, 1H-1,2,3-triazolyl, 2H-1,2,3-triazolyl, etc.) tetrazolyl (e.g. 1H-tetrazolyl, 2H-tetrazolyl, etc.), etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclyl group containing 1 to 5 nitrogen atoms, for example, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, indazolyl, benzotriazolyl, tetrazolopyridazinyl (e.g., tetrazolo[1,5-b]pyridazinyl, etc.), etc.; unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing an oxygen atom, for example, pyranyl, furyl, etc.; unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing a sulfur atom, for example, thienyl, etc.; unsaturated 3- to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, for example, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl (e.g., 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, etc.) etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclyl group containing 1 to 2 oxygen atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g. benzoxazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, etc.); unsaturated 3 to 6-membered heteromonocyclic group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, for example, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl (e.g., 1,2,4- thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, etc.) etc.; unsaturated condensed heterocyclyl group containing 1 to 2 sulfur atoms and 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms (e.g., benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, etc.) and the like. The term also embraces radicals where heterocyclyl radicals are fused with aryl radicals. Examples of such fused bicyclic radicals include benzofuran, benzothiophene, and the like. Said “heterocyclyl group” may have 1 to 3 substituents such as alkyl, hydroxyl, halo, alkoxy, oxo, amino and alkylamino.

[0061] The term “alkylthio” embraces radicals containing a linear or branched alkyl radical, of one to about ten carbon atoms attached to a divalent sulfur atom. More preferred alkylthio radicals are “lower alkylthio” radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylthio radicals are methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, butylthio and hexylthio.

[0062] The term “alkylthioalkyl” embraces radicals containing an alkylthio radical attached through the divalent sulfur atom to an alkyl radical of one to about ten carbon atoms. More preferred alkylthioalkyl radicals are “lower alkylthioalkyl” radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylthioalkyl radicals include methylthiomethyl.

[0063] The term “alkylsulfinyl” embraces radicals containing a linear or branched alkyl radical, of one to ten carbon atoms, attached to a divalent —S(═O)— radical. More preferred alkylsulfinyl radicals are “lower alkylsulfinyl” radicals having alkyl radicals of one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylsulfinyl radicals include methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, butylsulfinyl and hexylsulfinyl.

[0064] The term “sulfonyl”, whether used alone or linked to other terms such as alkylsulfonyl, denotes respectively divalent radicals —SO2—. “Alkylsulfonyl” embraces alkyl radicals attached to a sulfonyl radical, where alkyl is defined as above. More preferred alkylsulfonyl radicals are “lower alkylsulfonyl” radicals having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such lower alkylsulfonyl radicals include methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl and propylsulfonyl. The “alkylsulfonyl” radicals may be further substituted with one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide haloalkylsulfonyl radicals. The terms “sulfamyl”, “aminosulfonyl” and “sulfonamidyl” denote NH2O2S—.

[0065] The term “acyl” denotes a radical provided by the residue after removal of hydroxyl from an organic acid. Examples of such acyl radicals include alkanoyl and aroyl radicals. Examples of such lower alkanoyl radicals include formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, valeryl, isovaleryl, pivaloyl, hexanoyl, trifluoroacetyl.

[0066] The term “carbonyl”, whether used alone or with other terms, such as “alkoxycarbonyl”, denotes —(C═O)—.

[0067] The term “aroyl” embraces aryl radicals with a carbonyl radical as defined above. Examples of aroyl include benzoyl, naphthoyl, and the like and the aryl in said aroyl may be additionally substituted.

[0068] The terms “carboxy” or “carboxyl”, whether used alone or with other terms, such as “carboxyalkyl”, denotes —CO2H.

[0069] The term “carboxyalkyl” embraces alkyl radicals substituted with a carboxy radical. More preferred are “lower carboxyalkyl” which embrace lower alkyl radicals as defined above, and may be additionally substituted on the alkyl radical with halo. Examples of such lower carboxyalkyl radicals include carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl and carboxypropyl.

[0070] The term “alkoxycarbonyl” means a radical containing an alkoxy radical, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to a carbonyl radical. More preferred are “lower alkoxycarbonyl” radicals with alkyl porions having 1 to 6 carbons. Examples of such lower alkoxycarbonyl (ester) radicals include substituted or unsubstituted methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl and hexyloxycarbonyl.

[0071] The terms “alkylcarbonyl”, “arylcarbonyl” and “aralkylcarbonyl” include radicals having alkyl, aryl and aralkyl radicals, as defined above, attached to a carbonyl radical. Examples of such radicals include substituted or unsubstituted methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl and benzylcarbonyl.

[0072] The term “aralkyl” embraces aryl-substituted alkyl radicals such as benzyl, diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl, phenylethyl, and diphenylethyl. The aryl in said aralkyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, halkoalkyl and haloalkoxy. The terms benzyl and phenylmethyl are interchangeable.

[0073] The term “heterocyclylalkyl” embraces saturated and partially unsaturated heterocyclyl-substituted alkyl radicals, such as pyrrolidinylmethyl, and heteroaryl-substituted alkyl radicals, such as pyridylmethyl, quinolylmethyl, thienylmethyl, furylethyl, and quinolylethyl. The heteroaryl in said heteroaralkyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, halkoalkyl and haloalkoxy.

[0074] The term “aralkoxy” embraces aralkyl radicals attached through an oxygen atom to other radicals.

[0075] The term “aralkoxyalkyl” embraces aralkoxy radicals attached through an oxygen atom to an alkyl radical.

[0076] The term “aralkylthio” embraces aralkyl radicals attached to a sulfur atom.

[0077] The term “aralkylthioalkyl” embraces aralkylthio radicals attached through a sulfur atom to an alkyl radical.

[0078] The term “aminoalkyl” embraces alkyl radicals substituted with one or more amino radicals. More preferred are “lower aminoalkyl” radicals. Examples of such radicals include aminomethyl, aminoethyl, and the like.

[0079] The term “alkylamino” denotes amino groups that have been substituted with one or two alkyl radicals. Preferred are “lower N-alkylamino” radicals having alkyl portions having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Suitable lower alkylamino may be mono or dialkylamino such as N-methylamino, N-ethylamino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-diethylamino or the like.

[0080] The term “arylamino” denotes amino groups, which have been substituted with one or two aryl radicals, such as N-phenylamino. The “arylamino” radicals may be further substituted on the aryl ring portion of the radical.

[0081] The term “aralkylamino” embraces aralkyl radicals attached through an amino nitrogen atom to other radicals. The terms “N-arylaminoalkyl” and “N-aryl-N-alkyl-aminoalkyl” denote amino groups which have been substituted with one aryl radical or one aryl and one alkyl radical, respectively, and having the amino group attached to an alkyl radical. Examples of such radicals include N-phenylaminomethyl and N-phenyl-N-methylaminomethyl.

[0082] The term “aminocarbonyl” denotes an amide group of the formula —C(═O)NH2.

[0083] The term “alkylaminocarbonyl” denotes an aminocarbonyl group which has been substituted with one or two alkyl radicals on the amino nitrogen atom. Preferred are “N-alkylaminocarbonyl” “N,N-dialkylaminocarbonyl” radicals. More preferred are “lower N-alkylaminocarbonyl” “lower N,N-dialkylaminocarbonyl” radicals with lower alkyl portions as defined above.

[0084] The term “alkylaminoalkyl” embraces radicals having one or more alkyl radicals attached to an aminoalkyl radical.

[0085] The term “aryloxyalkyl” embraces radicals having an aryl radical attached to an alkyl radical through a divalent oxygen atom.

[0086] The term “arylthioalkyl” embraces radicals having an aryl radical attached to an alkyl radical through a divalent sulfur atom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0087] It has been discovered that inhibition or prevention of cardiovascular disease, and in particular vascular restenosis, is provided by a combination therapy comprising administering to a subject a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor along with a dose of radiation. Restenosis, as detailed above, occurs due to the interaction of numerous biological events, including a wound healing response and an inflammatory response, that are triggered as a result of procedures such as coronary angioplasty. It is known in the art that ionizing radiation ameliorates the wound healing response. Further, it is also known in the art that cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors are potent anti-inflammatory agents. The presently described combination therapy is beneficial for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, therefore, without being bound to any particular theory, because cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors and radiation each attenuate independent biological events that are known to cause restenosis. Thus, the coupling of a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and radiation provides a synergistic therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the use of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors is highly advantageous in that it minimizes the gastric side effects that can occur with non-selective NSAID's, especially where prolonged treatment is expected.

[0088] The present method, accordingly, can be used for the prevention or inhibition of restenosis following vascular intervention such as angioplasty, grafting, stent placement, endarterectomy, atherectomy (including rotational, directional and extraction atherectomy), or excimer laser therapy of coronary stenosis. In one embodiment, the method can be used for preventing or inhibiting restenosis following angioplasty and in particular coronary artery angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or PTCA). In another embodiment, the method can be used for preventing or inhibiting restenosis following vascular grafting and in particular, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

[0089] Any cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be employed in the method of the present invention. In one embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor can be, for example, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor meloxicam, Formula B-1 (CAS registry number 71125-38-7) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

[0090] In yet another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, 6-[[5-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]methyl]-3 (2H)-pyridazinone, Formula B-2 (CAS registry number 179382-91-3) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is preferably of the chromene structural class that is a substituted benzopyran or a substituted benzopyran analog, and even more preferably selected from the group consisting of substituted benzothiopyrans, dihydroquinolines, or dihydronaphthalenes having the general Formula I shown below and possessing, by way of example and not limitation, the structures disclosed in Table 1, including the diastereomers, enantiomers, racemates, tautomers, salts, esters, amides and prodrugs thereof. Furthermore, benzopyran cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors useful in the practice of the present methods are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,034,256 and 6,077,850 herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0092] In one embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is of the chromene structural class and is represented by Formula I:

[0093] or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof;

[0094] wherein n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

[0095] wherein G is O, S or NR^(a);

[0096] wherein R^(a) is alkyl;

[0097] wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H and aryl;

[0098] wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl;

[0099] wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from alkylthio, nitro and alkylsulfonyl; and

[0100] wherein each R⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino, heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro, amino, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl, heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl, heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, hydroxyarylcarbonyl, nitroaryl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyl;

[0101] or wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical.

[0102] The cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of Formula (I) or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof wherein:

[0103] n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

[0104] G is O, S or NR^(b);

[0105] R¹ is H;

[0106] R^(b) is alkyl;

[0107] R² is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl;

[0108] R³ is selected from the group consisting of haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, wherein haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl each is independently optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of alkylthio, nitro and alkylsulfonyl; and

[0109] each R⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrido, halo, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino, heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro, amino, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl, heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl, heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyl; or wherein R⁴ together with ring E forms a naphthyl radical.

[0110] In a further embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of Formula (I), or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof; wherein:

[0111] n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

[0112] G is oxygen or sulfur;

[0113] R¹ is H;

[0114] R² is carboxyl, lower alkyl, lower aralkyl or lower alkoxycarbonyl;

[0115] R³ is lower haloalkyl, lower cycloalkyl or phenyl; and

[0116] each R⁴ is H, halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower alkylamino, nitro, amino, aminosulfonyl, lower alkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, 6-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, 6-membered-nitrogen containing heterocyclosulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, optionally substituted phenyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, or lower alkylcarbonyl; or

[0117] wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical.

[0118] The cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of Formula (I) or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof; wherein:

[0119] R² is carboxyl;

[0120] R³ is lower haloalkyl; and

[0121] each R⁴ is H, halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower alkylamino, amino, aminosulfonyl, lower alkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, 6-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, optionally substituted phenyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, or lower alkylcarbonyl; or wherein R⁴ together with ring E forms a naphthyl radical.

[0122] The cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of Formula (I) or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof; wherein:

[0123] n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

[0124] R³ is fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, difluoromethyl, or trifluoromethyl; and

[0125] each R⁴ is H, chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, tertbutyloxy, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, amino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-diethylamino, N-phenylmethylaminosulfonyl, N-phenylethylaminosulfonyl, N-(2-furylmethyl)aminosulfonyl, nitro, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, N-methylaminosulfonyl, N-ethylsulfonyl, 2,2-dimethylethylaminosulfonyl, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, N-(2-methylpropyl)aminosulfonyl, N-morpholinosulfonyl, methylsulfonyl, benzylcarbonylk, 2,2-dimethylpropylcarbonyl, phenylacetyl or phenyl; or wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical.

[0126] The cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of Formula (I) or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof; wherein:

[0127] n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;

[0128] R³ is trifluoromethyl or pentafluoroethyl; and

[0129] each R⁴ is independently H, chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, N-phenylmethylaminosulfonyl, N-phenylethylaminosulfonyl, N-(2-furylmethyl)aminosulfonyl, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, N-methylaminosulfonyl, N-(2,2-dimethylethyl)aminosulfonyl, dimethylaminosulfonyl, 2-methylpropylaminosulfonyl, N-morpholinosulfonyl, methylsulfonyl, benzylcarbonyl, or phenyl; or wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical.

[0130] In yet another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor used in connection with the method(s) of the present invention can also be a compound having the structure of Formula (I) or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof:

[0131] wherein:

[0132] G is O or S;

[0133] R¹ is H;

[0134] R² is CO₂H;

[0135] R³ is lower haloalkyl;

[0136] a first R⁴ corresponding to R⁹ is hydrido or halo;

[0137] a second R⁴ corresponding to R¹⁰ is H, halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower alkoxy, lower aralkylcarbonyl, lower dialkylaminosulfonyl, lower alkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl, lower heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, or 6- membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl;

[0138] a third R⁴ corresponding to R¹ is H, lower alkyl, halo, lower alkoxy, or aryl; and

[0139] a fourth R⁴ corresponding to R¹² is H, halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and aryl;

[0140] wherein Formula (I) is represented by Formula (Ia):

[0141] or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof.

[0142] The cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor used in connection with the method(s) of the present invention can also be a compound of having the structure of Formula (Ia) or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof; wherein:

[0143] R⁸ is trifluoromethyl or pentafluoroethyl;

[0144] R⁹ is H, chloro, or fluoro;

[0145] R¹⁰ is H, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, methyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, benzylcarbonyl, dimethylaminosulfonyl, isopropylaminosulfonyl, methylaminosulfonyl, benzylaminosulfonyl, phenylethylaminosulfonyl, methylpropylaminosulfonyl, methylsulfonyl, or morpholinosulfonyl;

[0146] R¹¹ is H, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, chloro, methoxy, diethylamino, or phenyl; and

[0147] R¹² is H, chloro, bromo, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, or phenyl.

[0148] Examples of exemplary chromene cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors are depicted in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Examples of Chromene Cyclooxygenase-2 Selective Inhibitors as Embodiments Compound Number Structural Formula B-3

6-Nitro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1- benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-4

6-Chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-5

((S)-6-Chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-6

2-Trifluoromethyl-2H-naphtho[2,3-b] pyran-3-carboxylic acid B-7

6-Chloro-7-(4-nitrophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1- benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-8

((S)-6,8-Dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-9

6-Chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-phenyl-2H- 1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-10

6-(4-Hydroxybenzoyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-11

2-(Trifluoromethyl)-6-[(trifluoromethyl)thio]- 2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-12

6,8-Dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1- benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-13

6-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)- 2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid B-14

6,7-Difluoro-1,2-dihydro-2-(trifluoromethyl)- 3-quinolinecarboxylic acid B-15

6-Chloro-1,2-dihydro-1-methyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)- 3-quinolinecarboxylic acid B-16

6-Chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-dihydro [1,8]naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid B-17

((S)-6-Chloro-1,2-dihydro-2-(trifluoromethyl)- 3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

[0149] In a further preferred embodiment, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor is selected from the class of tricyclic cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors represented by the general structure of Formula II:

[0150] wherein A is selected from the group consisting of partially unsaturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl and partially unsaturated or unsaturated carbocyclic rings;

[0151] wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl, wherein R¹ is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo, alkoxy and alkylthio;

[0152] wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of methyl or amino; and

[0153] wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of a radical selected from H, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, oxo, cyano, carboxyl, cyanoalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, haloalkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkenyl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, acyl, alkylthioalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, aralkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aralkylthioalkyl, aralkoxyalkyl, alkoxyaralkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, N-arylaminocarbonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkylamino, N-arylamino, N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl, N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, aryloxy, aralkoxy, arylthio, aralkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, N-arylaminosulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminosulfonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0154] In a still more preferred embodiment of the invention the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor represented by the above Formula II is selected from the group of compounds, illustrated in Table 2, consisting of celecoxib (B-18; U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,823; CAS No. 169590-42-5), valdecoxib (B-19; U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,272; CAS No. 181695-72-7), deracoxib (B-20; U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,207; CAS No. 169590-41-4), rofecoxib (B-21; CAS No. 162011-90-7), etoricoxib (MK-663; B-22; PCT publication WO 98/03484), JTE-522 (B-23), or an isomer, ester, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof. TABLE 2 Examples of Tricyclic Cyclooxygenase-2 Selective Inhibitors as Embodiments Compound Number Structural Formula B-18

B-19

B-20

B-21

B-22

B-23

[0155] In an even more preferred embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of celecoxib, rofecoxib and etoricoxib.

[0156] In another highly preferred embodiment of the invention, parecoxib (B-24, U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,598, CAS No. 198470-84-7), which is a therapeutically effective prodrug of the tricyclic cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor valdecoxib, B-19, maybe advantageously employed as a source of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,598, herein incorporated by reference).

[0157] A preferred form of parecoxib is sodium parecoxib.

[0158] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound having the formula B-25 that has been previously described in International Publication number WO 00/24719 (which is herein incorporated by reference), is another tricyclic cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor which may be advantageously employed.

[0159] Another preferred cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor that is useful in connection with the method(s) of the present invention is N-(2-cyclohexyloxynitrophenyl)-methane sulfonamide (NS-398) having a structure shown below as B-26.

[0160] In yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor used in connection with the method(s) of the present invention can be selected from the class of phenylacetic acid derivative cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors represented by the general structure of Formula (III):

[0161] or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof;

[0162] wherein

[0163] R¹⁶ is methyl or ethyl;

[0164] R¹⁷ is chloro or fluoro;

[0165] R¹⁸ is hydrogen or fluoro;

[0166] R¹⁹ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy or hydroxy;

[0167] R²⁰ is hydrogen or fluoro; and

[0168] R²¹ is chloro, fluoro, trifluoromethyl or methyl, provided that R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are not all fluoro when R¹⁶ is ethyl and R¹⁹ is H.

[0169] A particularly preferred phenylacetic acid derivative cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor used in connection with the method(s) of the present invention is a compound that has the designation of COX 189 (B-211) and that has the structure shown in Formula (III) or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein:

[0170] R¹⁶ is ethyl;

[0171] R¹⁷ and R¹⁹ are chloro;

[0172] R¹⁸ and R²⁰ are hydrogen; and

[0173] and R²¹ is methyl.

[0174] In yet another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is represented by Formula (IV):

[0175] or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester, or a prodrug thereof,

[0176] wherein:

[0177] X is O or S;

[0178] J is a carbocycle or a heterocycle;

[0179] R²² is NHSO₂CH₃ or F;

[0180] R²³ is H, NO₂, or F; and

[0181] R²⁴ is H, NHSO₂CH₃, or (SO₂CH₃)C₆H₄.

[0182] According to another embodiment, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors used in the present method(s) have the structural Formula (V):

[0183] or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester, or a prodrug thereof, wherein:

[0184] T and M independently are phenyl, naphthyl, a radical derived from a heterocycle comprising 5 to 6 members and possessing from 1 to 4 heteroatoms, or a radical derived from a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;

[0185] Q¹, Q², L¹ or L² are independently hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, or lower methoxy having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and

[0186] at least one of Q¹, Q², L¹ or L² is in the para position and is —S(O)_(n)—R, wherein n is 0, 1, or 2 and R is a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a lower haloalkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an —SO₂NH₂; or,

[0187] Q¹ and Q² are methylenedioxy; or

[0188] L¹ and L² are methylenedioxy; and

[0189] R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, and R²⁸ are independently hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, lower haloalkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aromatic radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, furyl and pyridyl; or,

[0190] R²⁵ and R²⁶ are O; or,

[0191] R²⁷ and R²⁸ are O; or,

[0192] R²⁵, R²⁶, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms; or,

[0193] R²⁷, R²⁸, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms.

[0194] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compounds N-(2-cyclohexyloxynitrophenyl)methane sulfonamide, and (E)-4-[(4-methylphenyl)(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furanylidene) methyl]benzenesulfonamide having the structure of Formula (V) are employed as cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors.

[0195] Exemplary compounds that are useful for the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor in connection with the method(s) of the present invention, the structures for which are set forth in Table 3 below, include, but are not limited to:

[0196] 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-27);

[0197] 6-chloro-7-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-28);

[0198] 8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-29);

[0199] 6-chloro-8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-30);

[0200] 2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-31);

[0201] 7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-32);

[0202] 6-bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-33);

[0203] 8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-34);

[0204] 6-trifluoromethoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-35);

[0205] 5,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-36);

[0206] 8-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-37);

[0207] 7,8-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-38);

[0208] 6,8-bis(dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-39);

[0209] 7-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-40);

[0210] 7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-41);

[0211] 6-chloro-7-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-42);

[0212] 6-chloro-8-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-43);

[0213] 6-chloro-7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-44);

[0214] 6,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-45);

[0215] 6,8-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-46);

[0216] 6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-47);

[0217] 8-chloro-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-48)

[0218] 8-chloro-6-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-49);

[0219] 6-bromo-8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-50);

[0220] 8-bromo-6-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-51);

[0221] 8-bromo-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-52);

[0222] 8-bromo-5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-53);

[0223] 6-chloro-8-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-54);

[0224] 6-bromo-8-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-52);

[0225] 6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-56);

[0226] 6-[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-57);

[0227] 6-[(methylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-58);

[0228] 6-[(4-morpholino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-59);

[0229] 6-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-60);

[0230] 6-[(2-methylpropyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-61);

[0231] 6-methylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-62);

[0232] 8-chloro-6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-63);

[0233] 6-phenylacetyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-64);

[0234] 6,8-dibromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-65);

[0235] 8-chloro-5,6-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-66);

[0236] 6,8-dichloro-(S)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-67);

[0237] 6-benzylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-68);

[0238] 6-[[N-(2-furylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-69);

[0239] 6-[[N-(2-phenylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-70);

[0240] 6-iodo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-71);

[0241] 7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-72);

[0242] 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-73);

[0243] 3-[(3-Chloro-phenyl)-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-methylene]-dihydro-furan-2-one or BMS-347070 (B-74);

[0244] 8-acetyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (B-75);

[0245] 5,5-dimethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone (B-76);

[0246] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole (B-77);

[0247] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole (B-78);

[0248] 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-79);

[0249] 4-(3,5-bis(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-80);

[0250] 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-81);

[0251] 4-(3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-82);

[0252] 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-83);

[0253] 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-84);

[0254] 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-85);

[0255] 4-(4-chloro-3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (B-86);

[0256] 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-87);

[0257] 4-[5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-88);

[0258] 4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-89);

[0259] 4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-90);

[0260] 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-91);

[0261] 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-92);

[0262] 4-[4-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-93);

[0263] 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-94);

[0264] 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-95);

[0265] 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-96);

[0266] 4-[3-cyano-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-97);

[0267] 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-98);

[0268] 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-99);

[0269] 4-[4-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-100);

[0270] 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-101);

[0271] 4-[5-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-102);

[0272] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene (B-103);

[0273] 4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-104);

[0274] 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-7-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[3.4]oct-6-ene (B-105);

[0275] 5-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene (B-106);

[0276] 4-[6-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-107);

[0277] 5-(3,5-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene (B-108);

[0278] 5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene (B-109);

[0279] 4-[6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-110);

[0280] 2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole (B-111);

[0281] 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole (B-112);

[0282] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-methylthiazole (B-113);

[0283] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole (B-114);

[0284] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)thiazole (B-115);

[0285] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-benzylaminothiazole (B-116);

[0286] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(1-propylamino)thiazole (B-117);

[0287] 2-[(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]thiazole (B-118);

[0288] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole (B-119);

[0289] 1-methylsulfonyl-4-[1,1-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl]benzene (B-120);

[0290] 4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-121);

[0291] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene (B-122);

[0292] 4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dien-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-123);

[0293] 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-pyridine-3-carbonitrile (B-124);

[0294] 2-bromo-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-pyridine-3-carbonitrile (B-125);

[0295] 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-pyridine-3-carbonitrile (B-126);

[0296] 4-[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-127);

[0297] 4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-128);

[0298] 4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-129);

[0299] 3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (B-130);

[0300] 2-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (B-131);

[0301] 2-methyl-4-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (B-132);

[0302] 2-methyl-6-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (B-133);

[0303] 4-[2-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-134);

[0304] 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole (B-135);

[0305] 4-[2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-136);

[0306] 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-1H-imidazole (B-137);

[0307] 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole (B-138);

[0308] 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole (B-139);

[0309] 2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole (B-140);

[0310] 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole (B-141);

[0311] 2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole (B-142);

[0312] 4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-143);

[0313] 2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole (B-144);

[0314] 4-[2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-145);

[0315] 2-(3-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole (B-146);

[0316] 4-[2-(3-methylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-147);

[0317] 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole (B-148);

[0318] 4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-149);

[0319] 4-[2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-150);

[0320] 4-[2-(4-methoxy-3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-151);

[0321] 1-allyl-4-(4- fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifuoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole (B-152);

[0322] 4-[1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-153);

[0323] N-phenyl-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide (B-154);

[0324] ethyl [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate (B-155);

[0325] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-(2-phenylethyl)-1H-pyrazole (B-156);

[0326] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-(2-phenylethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole (B-157);

[0327] 1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole (B-158);

[0328] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole (B-159);

[0329] 4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(2-thiophenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole (B-160);

[0330] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (B-161);

[0331] 2-ethoxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (B-162);

[0332] 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(2-propynyloxy)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (B-163);

[0333] 2-bromo-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (B-164);

[0334] 4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-difluorophenyl]benzenesulfonamide (B-165);

[0335] 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzene (B-166);

[0336] 5-difluoromethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-phenylisoxazole (B-167);

[0337] 4-[3-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-168);

[0338] 4-[5-difluoromethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-169);

[0339] 4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-170);

[0340] 4-[5-methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-171);

[0341] 1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-172);

[0342] 1-[2-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-173);

[0343] 1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-174);

[0344] 1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-175);

[0345] 1-[2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-176);

[0346] 1-[2-(4-methylthiophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-177);

[0347] 1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-178);

[0348] 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-179);

[0349] 1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-180);

[0350] 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-181);

[0351] 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-182);

[0352] 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-183);

[0353] 1-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-184);

[0354] 1-[2-(2,3-difluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-185);

[0355] 4-[2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-186);

[0356] 1-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene (B-187);

[0357] 4-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-188);

[0358] 4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-5-yl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-189);

[0359] ethyl 2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]-2-benzyl-acetate (B-190);

[0360] 2-[4-(−14-fuorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]acetic acid (B-191);

[0361] 2-(tert-butyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole (B-192);

[0362] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyloxazole (B-193);

[0363] 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole (B-194);

[0364] 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide (B-195);

[0365] 6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-196);

[0366] 6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-197);

[0367] 5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-methylsulfonyl-2 (5H)-furanone (B-198);

[0368] 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid (B-199);

[0369] 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-200);

[0370] 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-201);

[0371] 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-202);

[0372] 3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (B-203);

[0373] 2-methyl-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine (B-204);

[0374] 4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-205);

[0375] 4-[5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-206);

[0376] 4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide (B-207);

[0377] [2-trifluoromethyl-5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide (B-208);

[0378] 4-[2-methyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide (B-209);

[0379] 4-[5-(2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide (B-210);

[0380] [2-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenylamino)-5-methyl-phenyl]-acetic acid or COX 189 (B-211);

[0381] N-(4-Nitro-2-phenoxy-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide or nimesulide (B-212);

[0382] N-[6-(2,4-difluoro-phenoxy)-1-oxo-indan-5-yl]-methanesulfonamide or flosulide (B-213);

[0383] N-[6-(2,4-Difluoro-phenylsulfanyl)-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl]-methanesulfonamide, soldium salt or L-745337 (B-214);

[0384] N-[5-(4-fluoro-phenylsulfanyl)-thiophen-2-yl]-methanesulfonamide or RWJ-63556 (B-215);

[0385] 3-(3,4-Difluoro-phenoxy)-4-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-5-methyl-5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-5H-furan-2-one or L-784512 or L-784512 (B-216);

[0386] (5Z)-2-amino-5-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]-4 (5H)-thiazolone or darbufelone (B-217);

[0387] CS-502 (B-218);

[0388] LAS-34475 (B-219);

[0389] LAS-34555 (B-220);

[0390] S-33516 (B-221);

[0391] SD-8381 (B-222);

[0392] L-783003 (B-223);

[0393] N-[3-(formylamino)-4-oxo-6-phenoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-7-yl]-methanesulfonamide or T-614 (B-224);

[0394] D-1367 (B-225);

[0395] L-748731 (B-226);

[0396] (6aR,10aR)-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-carboxylic acid or CT3 (B-227);

[0397] CGP-28238 (B-228);

[0398] 4-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]dihydro-2-methyl-2H-1,2-oxazin-3 (4H)-one or BF-389 (B-229);

[0399] GR-253035 (B-230);

[0400] 6-dioxo-9H-purin-8-yl-cinnamic acid (B-231);

[0401] S-2474 (B-232);

[0402] 4-[4-(methyl)-sulfonyl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-2 (5H)-furanone;

[0403] 4-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl);

[0404] 2-(6-methylpyrid-3-yl)-3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-chloropyridine;

[0405] 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl];

[0406] N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl)phenyl]sulfonyl];

[0407] 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0408] (S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;

[0409] 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3 (2H)-pyridzainone;

[0410] 2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naptho[2,1-b]pyran-3-carboxylic acid;

[0411] 6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;

[0412] [2-(2,4-dichloro-6-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-phenylamino)-5-propyl-phenyl]-acetic acid;

[0413] or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof. TABLE 3 Examples of Cyclooxygenase-2 Selective Inhibitors as Embodiments Compound Number Structural Formula B-26

N-(2-cyclohexyloxynitrophenyl)methane sulfonamide or NS-398; B-27

6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-28

6-chloro-7-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-29

8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-30

6-chloro-8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-31

2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-32

7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-33

6-bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-34

8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-35

6-trifluoromethoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-36

5,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-37

8-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-38

7,8-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-39

6,8-bis(dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-40

7-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-41

7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-42

6-chloro-7-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-43

6-chloro-8-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-44

6-chloro-7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-45

6,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-46

6,8-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-47

6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-48

8-chloro-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-49

8-chloro-6-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-50

6-bromo-8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-51

8-bromo-6-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-52

8-bromo-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-53

8-bromo-5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-54

6-chloro-8-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-55

6-bromo-8-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-56

6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-57

6-[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-58

6-[(methylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-59

6-[(4-morpholino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-60

6-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-61

6-[(2-methylpropyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-62

6-methylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-63

8-chloro-6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-64

6-phenylacetyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-65

6,8-dibromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-66

8-chloro-5,6-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-67

6,8-dichloro-(S)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-68

6-benzylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-69

6-[[N-(2-furylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl- 2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-70

6-[[N-(2-phenylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran- 3-carboxylic acid; B-71

6-iodo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-72

7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyl-2H- 1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-73

6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-74

3-[(3-chloro-phenyl)-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-methylene]- dihydro-furan-2-one or BMS-347070; B-75

8-acetyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-imidazo(1,2-a)pyridine; B-76

5,5-dimethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone; B-77

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole; B-78

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole; B-79

4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamide; B-80

4-(3,5-bis(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; B-81

4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; B-82

4-(3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; B-83

4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; B-84

4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; B-85

4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; B-86

4-(4-chloro-3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; B-87

4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-88

4-[5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-89

4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-90

4[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-91

4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-92

4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-93

4-[4-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-94

4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-95

4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-96

4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-97

4-[3-cyano-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-98

4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-99

4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-100

4-[4-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-101

4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-102

4-[5-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-103

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; B-104

4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-105

6-(4-fluorophenyl)-7-[4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[3.4]oct-6-ene; B-106

5-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; B-107

4-[6-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-108

5-(3,5-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl] spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; B-109

5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; B-110

4-[6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-111

2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole; B-112

2-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole; B-113

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-methylthiazole; B-114

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole; B-115

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)thiazole; B-116

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-benzylaminothiazole; B-117

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(1-propylamino)thiazole; B-118

2-((3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]thiazole; B-119

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole; B-120

1-methylsulfonyl-4-[1,1-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl) cyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl]benzene; B-121

4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-122

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene; B-123

4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dien-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-124

6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- pyridine-3-carbonitrile B-125

2-bromo-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- pyridine-3-carbonitrile; B-126

6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-pyridine-3-carbonitrile; B-127

4-[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-128

4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-129

4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-130

3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; B-131

2-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)]-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; B-132

2-methyl-4-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)]- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; B-133

2-methyl-6-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)]- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; B-134

4-[2-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-135

2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole; B-136

4-[2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-137

2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-1H-imidazole; B-138

2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole; B-139

2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 1H-imidazole; B-140

2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl- 4-(trifluoromethyl)]-1H-imidazole, B-141

1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; B-142

2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; B-143

4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-144

2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole; B-145

4-[2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl- 1H-imidazole-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-146

2-(3-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; B-147

4-[2-(3-methylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-148

1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole B-149

4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-150

4-[2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-151

4-[2-(4-methoxy-3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-152

1-allyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole; B-153

4-[1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl] benzenesulfonamide; B-154

N-phenyl-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide; B-155

ethyl[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate; B-156

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-(2-phenylethyl)-1H-pyrazole; B-157

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 1-(2-phenylethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole; B-158

1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole; B-159

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)- 2-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; B-160

4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(2-thiophenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole; B-161

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; B-162

2-ethoxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; B-163

5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 2-(2-propynyloxy)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; B-164

2-bromo-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]- 6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; B-165

4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-difluorophenyl]benzenesulfonamide; B-166

1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzene; B-167

5-difluoromethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-phenylisoxazole; B-168

4-[3-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-169

4-[5-difluoromethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-170

4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-171

4-[5-methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-172

1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-173

1-[2-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-174

1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-175

1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-176

1-[2-(4-trifloromethylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-177

1-[2-(4-methylthiophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-178

1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-179

4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-180

1-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-181

4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-182

4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-183

4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-184

1-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-185

1-[2-(2,3-difluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-186

4-[2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-187

1-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; B-188

4-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-189

4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-5-yl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-190

ethyl 2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]-2-benzyl-acetate; B-191

2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]acetic acid; B-192

2-(tert-butyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole; B-193

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyloxazole; B-194

4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole; B-195

4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- 4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; B-196

6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H- 1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-197

6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-198

5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-methylsulfonyl-2(5H)-furanone; B-199

6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid; B-200

4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-201

4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-202

4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)- 1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-203

3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; B-204

2-methyl-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl- 1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; B-205

4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide B-206

4-[5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-207

4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; B-208

[2-trifluoromethyl-5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; B-209

4-[2-methyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; B-210

4-[5-(2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; B-211

[2-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenylamino)-5-methyl-phenyl]-acetic acid or COX 189 or Lumiracoxib B-212

N-(4-nitro-2-phenoxy-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide or Nimesulide B-213

N-[6-(2,4-difluoro-phenoxy)-1-oxo-inden-5-yl]-methanesulfonamide or Flosulide B-214

N-[6-(2,4-difluoro-phenylsulfanyl)-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl]-methanesulfonamide, soldium salt, or L-745337 B-215

N-[5-(4-fluoro-phenylsulfanyl)-thiophen-2-yl]-methanesulfonamide or RWJ-63556 B-216

3-(3,4-difluoro-phenoxy)-4-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-5-methyl- 5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethyl)-5H-furan-2-one or L-784512 B-217

(5Z)-2-amino-5-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]- 4(5H)-thiazolone or Darbufelone B-218 CS-502 B-219 LAS-34475 B-220 LAS-34555 B-221 S-33516 B-222 SD-8381 B-223 L-783003 B-224

N-[3-(formylamino)-4-oxo-6-phenoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-7-yl]- methanesulfonamide or T614 B-225 D-1367 B-226 L-748731 B-227

(6aR,10aR)-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl- 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-carboxylic acid or CT3 B-228 CGP-28238 B-229

4-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene] dihydro-2-methyl-2H-1,2-oxazin-3(4H)-one or BF-389 B-230 GR-253035 B-231

2-(6-dioxo-9H-purin-8-yl)cinnamic acid B-232 S-2474

[0414] The compounds utilized in the methods of the present invention may be in the form of free bases or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable salts” embraces salts commonly used to form alkali metal salts and to form addition salts of free acids or free bases. The nature of the salt may vary, provided that it is pharmaceutically-acceptable. Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts of compounds for use in the present methods may be prepared from an inorganic acid or from an organic acid. Examples of such inorganic acids are hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric, carbonic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid. Appropriate organic acids may be selected from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic, heterocyclic, carboxylic and sulfonic classes of organic acids, examples of which are formic, acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, gluconic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, glucuronic, maleic, fumaric, pyruvic, aspartic, glutamic, benzoic, anthranilic, mesylic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, mandelic, embonic (pamoic), methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, pantothenic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, sulfanilic, cyclohexylaminosulfonic, stearic, algenic, β-hydroxybutyric, salicylic, galactaric and galacturonic acid. Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salts of compounds of use in the present methods include metallic salts made from aluminum, calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc or organic salts made from N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumine (N-methylglucamine) and procaine. All of these salts may be prepared by conventional means from the corresponding compound by reacting, for example, the appropriate acid or base with the compound of any Formula set forth herein.

[0415] The cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors useful in the practice of the present methods can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and administered by any means that will deliver a therapeutically effective dose. Such compositions can be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, rectally, intradermally, transdermally, or topically in dosage unit formulations containing conventional nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, and vehicles as desired. Topical administration may also involve the use of transdermal administration such as transdermal patches or iontophoresis devices. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, or intrastemal injection, or infusion techniques. Formulation of drugs is discussed in, for example, Hoover, John E., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1975), and Liberman, H. A. and Lachman, L., Eds., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Decker, New York, N.Y. (1980).

[0416] Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions, can be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed, including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are useful in the preparation of injectables. Dimethyl acetamide, surfactants including ionic and non-ionic detergents, and polyethylene glycols can be used. Mixtures of solvents and wetting agents such as those discussed above are also useful.

[0417] Suppositories for rectal administration of the compounds discussed herein can be prepared by mixing the active agent with a suitable non-irritating excipient such as cocoa butter, synthetic mono-, di-, or triglycerides, fatty acids, or polyethylene glycols which are solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature, and which will therefore melt in the rectum and release the drug.

[0418] Solid dosage forms for oral administration may include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the compounds are ordinarily combined with one or more adjuvants appropriate to the indicated route of administration. If administered per os, the compounds can be admixed with lactose, sucrose, starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkyl esters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or polyvinyl alcohol, and then tableted or encapsulated for convenient administration. Such capsules or tablets can contain a controlled-release formulation as can be provided in a dispersion of active compound in hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets, and pills, the dosage forms can also comprise buffering agents such as sodium citrate, or magnesium or calcium carbonate or bicarbonate. Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings.

[0419] For therapeutic purposes, formulations for parenteral administration can be in the form of aqueous or non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions or suspensions. These solutions and suspensions can be prepared from sterile powders or granules having one or more of the carriers or diluents mentioned for use in the formulations for oral administration. The compounds can be dissolved in water, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride, and/or various buffers. Other adjuvants and modes of administration are well and widely known in the pharmaceutical art.

[0420] Liquid dosage forms for oral administration can include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water. Such compositions can also comprise adjuvants, such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, and sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

[0421] The amount of active ingredient that can be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the patient and the particular mode of administration. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions may contain a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor in the range of about 0.1 to 2000 mg, preferably in the range of about 0.5 to 500 mg and most preferably between about 1 and 200 mg. A daily dose of about 0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight, preferably between about 0.1 and about 50 mg/kg body weight and most preferably from about 1 to 20 mg/kg body weight, may be appropriate. The daily dose can be administered in one to four doses per day.

[0422] In one embodiment, when the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises rofecoxib, it is preferred that the amount used is within a range of from about 0.15 to about 1.0 mg/day·kg, and even more preferably from about 0.18 to about 0.4 mg/day·kg.

[0423] In still another embodiment, when the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises etoricoxib, it is preferred that the amount used is within a range of from about 0.5 to about 5 mg/day·kg, and even more preferably from about 0.8 to about 4 mg/day·kg.

[0424] Further, when the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises celecoxib, it is preferred that the amount used is within a range of from about 1 to about 20 mg/day·kg, even more preferably from about 1.4 to about 8.6 mg/day·kg, and yet more preferably from about 2 to about 3 mg/day·kg.

[0425] When the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises valdecoxib, it is preferred that the amount used is within a range of from about 0.1 to about 5 mg/day·kg, and even more preferably from about 0.8 to about 4 mg/day·kg.

[0426] In a further embodiment, when the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises parecoxib, it is preferred that the amount used is within a range of from about 0.1 to about 5 mg/day·kg, and even more preferably from about 1 to about 3 mg/day·kg.

[0427] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that dosages may also be determined with guidance from Goodman & Goldman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Ninth Edition (1996), Appendix II, pp. 1707-1711 and from Goodman & Goldman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Tenth Edition (2001), Appendix II, pp. 475-493.

[0428] In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition containing a suitable cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor can also be administered locally at the site of vascular injury. For example and without limitation, a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor can be incorporated into a stent to be implanted into the vasculature. The stent can be coated with a degradable polymer into which the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor has been incorporated. As the polymer slowly degrades, it would release the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor into the area surrounding the stent. An example of a stent coated with a degradable polymer can be found in Strecker et al. (Cardiovasc. Intervent. Radiol., 21:487-496, 1998). Alternatively, local administration can be achieved by the use of microspheres that are implanted into the vascular wall at the time of vascular intervention. An example of the use of microspheres for administration of compounds to the vascular wall can be found in Valero et al. (J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 31:513-519, 1998). Also included are catheter-based local delivery systems. Non-limiting examples of catheter-based local delivery systems include hydrophilic-coated catheter balloons that absorb the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and then release it when pressed against the vessel wall, and fenestrated balloon catheters that use a high velocity jet to spray the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor against the vessel wall and thus embed it in the vessel wall.

[0429] The timing of the administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor can also vary. For example, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor can be administered beginning at a time prior to vascular intervention, at the time of vascular intervention, or at a time after vascular intervention. Administration can be by a single dose, or more preferably the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is given over an extended period. In one embodiment, administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is commenced at one day prior to vascular intervention. In other embodiments, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is given beginning not more than 7, not more than 14, not more than 21, or not more that 30 days prior to the vascular intervention. It is preferred that administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor extend for a period after the vascular intervention. In one embodiment, administration is continued for six months following intervention. In other embodiments, administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is continued for 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 9 months, or one year after vascular intervention. In one embodiment, administration of a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is continued throughout the life of the subject following vascular intervention.

[0430] In the present method, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor is administered in combination with radiation. The timing of the administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and radiation may vary from subject to subject. In one embodiment of the invention, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and radiation may be administered substantially simultaneously, meaning that both agents may be administered to the subject at approximately the same time. In one embodiment, for example, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is administered during a continuous period beginning on the same day as the beginning of the radiation therapy and extending to a period after the end of the radiation therapy. Alternatively, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and radiation may be administered sequentially, meaning that they are administered at separate times during separate treatments. In one embodiment, for example, the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is administered during a continuous period beginning prior to administration of the radiation and ending after administration of the radiation. Of course, it is also possible that the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor may be administered either more or less frequently than the radiation treatment. One skilled in the art can readily design suitable treatment regiments for a particular subject.

[0431] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible, and perhaps desirable, to combine various times and methods of administration in the practice of the present invention. For example and without limitation, a subject may be administered a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor systemically for a period prior to the vascular procedure, followed by local administration by, for example, a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor releasing stent, followed by radiation treatment, followed by systemic administration after the release of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor stops or has a significant decline.

[0432] The exact dose of radiation used will also vary with such factors as the tissue location, the species, age, sex and physical condition of the subject, the size of the tissue, and the type of vascular intervention involved. Exemplary radiation doses for coronary artery procedures are in the range of between about 3 Grays (Gy) to 60 Grays. In one embodiment the dose is between about 8 Gy to about 35 Gy, in another embodiment between about 10 Gy to about 24 Gy and in still another embodiment between about between about 12 Gy to about 20 Gy.

[0433] Generally speaking, the radiation may be administered to any portion of a subject's body to the extent that its delivery to the location results in the desired degree of cell proliferation inhibition. Typically, the radiation is directed to a coronary blood vessel. In one embodiment, the coronary blood vessel is a coronary artery.

[0434] The radiation may be administered according to any method generally known in the art. In one embodiment, a platform is used to administer the radiation. The platform can be external, for example, a linear accelerator, or may be endovascular brachytherapy using, for example, a catheter or radioactive stent. One method of endovascular radiation therapy makes use of commercially available high dose rate after-loader systems. Another method utilizes catheters and in particular balloon catheters. The catheters may contain a solid radiation source or a liquid source. In catheter-based systems, the catheter is advanced to the site to be irradiated and the balloon expanded to come in contact with the vessel walls. In an alternative embodiment, an implantable radiation source is used. Implantable radiation sources include, but are not limited to, radioactive stents, particles and microspheres. When ultra violet (UV) radiation is utilized, an optical fiber or other wave-guide can be used. Examples of methods for endovascular brachytherapy can be found in Massullo et al. (Intl. J. Radiation Oncol. Biol. Phys., 36:973-975, 1996); Teirstein et al. (N. E. J. Med., 336:1697-1703, 1997); Valero et al. (J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol., 31:513-519; 1998); Ishiwata et al. (Jpn Heart J., 41:541-570, 2000); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,662,580; 5,871,437; 5,919,126; 5,919,126; 6,159,142; 6,179,789; 6,187,037; 6,196,963; 6,196,996; 6,200,256; and 6,210,313. Examples of methods for the administration of UV radiation can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,116,864; 5,620,438; and 6,200,307.

[0435] Any type of radiation capable of inhibiting or preventing intimal hyperplasia can be used. In one embodiment, either electromagnetic or particle radiation can be used. Examples of suitable types of radiation include alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, X-rays and ultra violet radiation. One preferred form of X-rays is “soft X-rays” or Grenz rays. These X-rays are of a longer wavelength and thus less penetrating than those conventionally used in radiotherapy.

[0436] Numerous sources of radiation can also be used including antimony-120, antimony-127, astatine-211, barium-128, barium-131, barium-140, bromine-80m, cadmium-115, cerium-134, cerium-141, cerium-143, cobalt-55, copper-64, copper-67, dysprosium-166, erbium-169, erbium-172, holmium-166, gadolinium-159, gallium-166, gallium-68, germanium-71, gold-198, gold-199, iodine-124, iodine-125, iodine-131, iridium-192, iridium-194, lanthanum-140, lutetium-172, lutetium-177, neodymium-140, nickel-66, niobium-95, osmium-191, palladium-100, palladium-103, phosphorus-32, phosphorus-33, platinum-188, platinum-191, platinum-193m, platinum-195m, platinum-197, praseodymium-143, rhenium-186, rhenium-188, rhodium-99, rhodium-101m, rhodium 103m, rhodium-105, rubidium-82, ruthenium-103, samarium-153, scandium-47, scandium-48, silver-111, strontium-82, strontium-89, strontium-90, tantalum-177, tantalum-183, technetium-99m, tellurium-132, tellurium-118, terbium-153, terbium-156, thallium-201, thallium-204, thulium-170, thulium-172, tin-117m, tin-121, titanium-45, tungsten-178, vanadium-48, xenon-133, ytterbium-166, ytterbium-169, ytterbium-175, yttrium-87, yttrium-90, yttrium-91, zinc-72, and zirconium-89. Commonly used sources of radiation can be found in Table 3. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, sources of radiation can be combined as, for example, a combination of strontium-90 and yttrium-90 (⁹⁰SR/⁹⁰Y). TABLE 4 Commonly Used Radiation Sources for Vascular Brachytherapy ISOTOPE EMISSION MAX. ENERGY HALF-LIFE Iridium-192 Gamma, Beta 0.37 MeV 73.8 days Strontium-90/ Beta 2.3 MeV 29.2 years Yttrium-90 Yttrium-90 Beta 2.3 MeV 64.1 hours Phosphorus-32 Beta 1.71 MeV 14.3 days Rhenium-188 Beta, Gamma 2.12 MeV 17 hours Rhenium-186 Beta 1.08 MeV 90 hours Xenon-133 Beta, Gamma, 360, 81, 32 keV 5.3 days X-ray Tecbnetium-99m Beta, X-ray 0.14 MeV 6 hours

[0437] In one embodiment, the method will further involve the administration of an antithrombotic agent and/or a platelet aggregation inhibitor. The administration of the antithrombotic agent or platelet aggregation inhibitor will typically begin prior to the vascular intervention and will extend for a period afterward, often the life of the subject. Protocols for the administration of antithrombotics and platelet aggregation inhibitors for use in vascular intervention and coronary artery intervention in particular is widely available.

[0438] In another embodiment, the methods will further comprise administration of a corticosteroid, preferably a glucocorticoid. Examples of suitable glucocorticoids include hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylpridnisolone.

EXAMPLES

[0439] The following examples are intended to provide illustrations of the application of the present invention. The following examples are not intended to completely define or otherwise limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1 Animal Models for Restenosis

[0440] Various animal models have been developed to study cardiovascular disease in general and restenosis in particular. Reviews of these models can be found in Herrman et al. (Drugs, 46:18-52, 1993) and Landzberg et al. (Prog. Cardiovasc. Dis., 39:361-398, 1997). One of the most widely used models, is the balloon-injured swine restenosis model of Karas et al. (J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 20:467-474, 1992). In this method, coronary anteriography is performed on anesthetized domestic swine using a guiding catheter introduced into the femoral artery. Coronary vessel diameter is estimated from the arteriograms using catheter diameter as a standard. In order to induce vascular injury, balloons typically used have a diameter approximately 20% to 30% greater than the baseline arterial diameter. If a stent is to be implanted, the balloon is normally inflated twice for 30 seconds and then the catheter is removed. If the vessel is to remain unstented, the balloon is usually inflated three times. The site of balloon inflation and/or stenting can be irradiated immediately before, during or after the angioplasty. Various doses of radiation can be used in order to determine the optimal dose. Typically, radiation doses will be in the range of between about 3 Grays to about 60 Grays, more typically in the range of about 10 Grays to 24 Grays and even more typically in the range of about between 12 Grays to 20 Grays. The dose of radiation is administered using any suitable method. Often radiation is administered using the same catheter used to expand the vessel. If UV radiation is used, an optical wave-guide is inserted through the femoral artery and area of expansion treated with UV light. Following the procedure, the cutdown wound used to introduce the catheter is repaired and the animal allowed to recover.

[0441] To test the effect of administration of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors in combination with radiation to prevent restenosis, cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors are administered at various doses and at various times prior to and after vascular intervention. The exact range of doses tested will vary with the particular cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor to be tested. Any suitable method of administration can be used, for example, animals can be administered the compound orally from one to four times a day. The time period of administration is also varied to determine the optimal duration of administration. Typically, administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor will begin shortly before or at the time of the vascular intervention and extend for varying periods after. Administration of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor throughout the course of the study is contemplated. The exact length of time of the study will vary with the particular situation, but in general, it is anticipated that studies will last from between 1 to 6 months.

Example 2 Analysis of Effect of Combination Therapy on Restenosis

[0442] At various times during the course of the study, the effect of the combination therapy on restenosis can be assessed. On method of assessment is by histological study. At various times, animals from treatment and control groups are sacrificed and the treated vessels quickly removed and fixed. The control group consists of animals that underwent the vascular intervention but did not receive the combination of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and radiation. Fixed vessels are then embedded in a suitable sectioning material, sectioned, stained and examined by either light or electron microscopy. Vessel sections can be examined for known parameters associated with restenosis such as the size of the vessel lumen and the number of smooth muscle cells present in the section.

[0443] Alternatively, the effects can be determined by the use of arteriography or intravascular ultrasound. These methods have the advantage in that individual animals can be followed during the course of the study and data from various time points compared. Animals are anesthetized and anteriography or intravascular ultrasound performed in the same method as for angioplasty and the images recorded. A contrast filled catheter can be used for a calibration standard. Images obtained are then matched for position within the cardiac cycle and the diameters of the lumens compared. It is possible, of course, to combine both histological and arteriographic or ultrasound analysis, by measuring vessel diameter by arteriography or ultrasound during the experimental period and then sacrificing the animal at the end of the study in order to conduct a histological examination.

Example 3 Rat Carrageenan Foot Pad Edema Test

[0444] The anti-inflammatory properties of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors for use in the present methods can be determined by the rat carrageenan foot pad edema test. The carrageenan foot edema test is performed with materials, reagents and procedures essentially as described by Winter, et al., (Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 111: 544, 1962). Male Sprague-Dawley rats are selected in each group so that the average body weight is as close as possible. Rats are fasted with free access to water for over sixteen hours prior to the test. The rats are dosed orally (1 mL) with compounds suspended in vehicle containing 0.5% methylcellulose and 0.025% surfactant, or with vehicle alone. One hour later, a subplantar injection of 0.1 mL of 1% solution of carrageenan/sterile 0.9% saline is administered and the volume of the injected foot is measured with a displacement plethysmometer connected to a pressure transducer with a digital indicator. Three hours after the injection of the carrageenan, the volume of the foot is again measured. The average foot swelling in a group of drug-treated animals is compared with that of a group of placebo-treated animals and the percentage inhibition of edema is determined (Otterness and Bliven, Laboratory Models for Testing NSAIDs, in Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, (J. Lombardino, ed. 1985)).

[0445] In light of the detailed description of the invention and the examples presented above, it can be appreciated that the several aspects of the invention are achieved.

[0446] It is to be understood that the present invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example in order to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. Particular formulations and processes of the present invention are not limited to the descriptions of the specific embodiments presented, but rather the descriptions and examples should be viewed in terms of the claims that follow and their equivalents. While some of the examples and descriptions above include some conclusions about the way the invention may function, the inventor does not intend to be bound by those conclusions and functions, but puts them forth only as possible explanations.

[0447] It is to be further understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the invention, and that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing examples and detailed description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease in a subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising administering to the subject a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof and a dose of radiation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardiovascular disease is characterized by at least one symptom selected from the group consisting of thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, negative remodeling, and local inflammation.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardiovascular disease is due to coronary vessel thrombosis.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardiovascular disease is due coronary vessel intimal hyperplasia.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is directed to a coronary blood vessel.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the coronary blood vessel is a coronary artery.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is administered by brachytherapy, direct beam radiation or a combination thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1, where the radiation is administered by brachytherapy.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is administered by direct beam radiation.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the brachytherapy is administered by catherterization.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the brachytherapy is administered by radioactive stent.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is administered at a dose between about 3 Gray and about 60 Gray.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is administered at a dose between about 8 Gray to about 35 Gray.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is administered at a dose between about 10 Gray to about 25 Gray.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is administered at a dose between about 12 Gray to about 20 Gray.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation comprises particle radiation.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation comprises electromagnetic radiation.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is selected from the group consisting of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, X-rays, ultra violet radiation, and any combination thereof.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation comprises Grenz rays.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from a source selected from the group consisting of antimony-120, antimony-127, astatine-211, barium-128, barium-131, barium-140, bromine-80m, cadmium-115, cerium-134, cerium-141, cerium-143, cobalt-55, copper-64, copper-67, dysprosium-166, erbium-169, erbium-172, holmium-166, gadolinium-159, gallium-166, gallium-68, germanium-71, gold-198, gold-199, iodine-124, iodine-125, iodine-131, iridium-192, iridium-194, lanthanum -140, lutetium-172, lutetium-177, neodymium-140, nickel-66, niobium-95, osmium -191, palladium-100, palladium-103, phosphorus-32, phosphorus-33, platinum-188, platinum-191, platinum-193m, platinum-195m, platinum-197, praseodymium-143, rhenium-186, rhenium-188, rhodium-99, rhodium-101m, rhodium 103m, rhodium -105, rubidium-82, ruthenium-103, samarium-153, scandium-47, scandium-48, silver -111, strontium-82, strontium-89, strontium-90, tantalum-177, tantalum-183, technetium-99m, tellurium-132, tellurium-118, terbium-153, terbium-156, thallium -201, thallium-204, thulium-170, thulium-172, tin-117m, tin-121, titanium-45, tungsten-178, vanadium-48, xenon-133, ytterbium-166, ytterbium-169, ytterbium -175, yttrium-87, yttrium-90, yttrium-91, zinc-72, and zirconium-89; and any combination thereof.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from a source selected from the group consisting of Iridium-192, Strontium-90, Phosphorus-32, Rhenium-186, Rhenium-188, Xenon-133, and Technetium-99m; and any combination thereof.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from Iridium-192.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from Strontium-90.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from Phosphorus-32.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from Rhenium-186.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from Rhenium-188.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from Xenon-133.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is from Technetium-99m.
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is administered during a continuous period beginning prior to administration of the radiation.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is continued until about six months after vascular intervention.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is continued for the life of the subject.
 32. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is administered during a continuous period beginning on the same day as the beginning of the radiation.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is continued until about six months after vascular intervention.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is continued for the life of the subject.
 35. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is administered during a continuous period beginning after the administration of the radiation.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is continued about six months.
 37. The method of claim 35, wherein administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is continued for the life of the subject.
 38. The method of claim 1, further comprising administration of a compound selected from the group consisting of an antithrombotic agent, a platelet aggregation inhibitor, and a combination thereof.
 39. The method of claim 1, further comprising administration of at least one corticosteroid.
 40. The method of claim 1, further comprising administration of at least one anti-inflammatory selected from the group consisting of sulfasalazine, griseofulvin, chochicine, curcumin, and tranilast.
 41. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 42. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 43. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises a compound of the formula:

wherein n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; wherein G is O, S or NR^(a); wherein R^(a) is alkyl; wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H and aryl; wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl; wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from alkylthio, nitro and alkylsulfonyl; and wherein each R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino, heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro, amino, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl, heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl, heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, hydroxyarylcarbonyl, nitroaryl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyl; wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an isomer or a prodrug thereof.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein: n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; G is O, S or NR^(b); R¹ is H; R^(b) is alkyl; R² is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl; R³ is selected from the group consisting of haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, wherein haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl each is independently optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of alkylthio, nitro and alkylsulfonyl; and each R⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrido, halo, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino, heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro, amino, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl, heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl, heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, aralkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyl; or wherein R⁴ together with ring E forms a naphthyl radical.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein: n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; G is oxygen or sulfur; R¹ is H; R² is carboxyl, lower alkyl, lower aralkyl or lower alkoxycarbonyl; R³ is lower haloalkyl, lower cycloalkyl or phenyl; and each R⁴ is H, halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower alkylamino, nitro, amino, aminosulfonyl, lower alkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, 6-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, 6-membered-nitrogen containing heterocyclosulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, optionally substituted phenyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, or lower alkylcarbonyl; or wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical.
 46. The method of claim 43, wherein: R² is carboxyl; R³ is lower haloalkyl; and each R⁴ is H, halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower alkylamino, amino, aminosulfonyl, lower alkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, 6-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, optionally substituted phenyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, or lower alkylcarbonyl; or wherein R⁴ together with ring E forms a naphthyl radical.
 47. The method of claim 43, wherein: n is an integer which is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R³ is fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl, dichloropropyl, difluoromethyl, or trifluoromethyl; and each R⁴ is H, chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, tertbutyloxy, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, amino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-diethylamino, N-phenylmethylaminosulfonyl, N-phenylethylaminosulfonyl, N-(2-furylmethyl)aminosulfonyl, nitro, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, N-methylaminosulfonyl, N-ethylsulfonyl, 2,2-dimethylethylaminosulfonyl, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, N-(2-methylpropyl)aminosulfonyl, N-morpholinosulfonyl, methylsulfonyl, benzylcarbonyl, 2,2-dimethylpropylcarbonyl, phenylacetyl or phenyl; or wherein R⁴ together with the carbon atoms to which it is attached and the remainder of ring E forms a naphthyl radical.
 48. The method of claim 43, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises a compound of the formula:

G is oxygen or sulfur; R⁸ is trifluoromethyl or pentafluoroethyl; R⁹ is H, chloro, or fluoro; R¹⁰ is H, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, methyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, benzylcarbonyl, dimethylaminosulfonyl, isopropylaminosulfonyl, methylaminosulfonyl, benzylaminosulfonyl, phenylethylaminosulfonyl, methylpropylaminosulfonyl, methylsulfonyl, or morpholinosulfonyl; R¹¹ is H, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, chloro, methoxy, diethylamino, or phenyl; and R¹² is H, chloro, bromo, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, or phenyl
 49. The method of claim 43, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer or prodrug thereof is selected from the group consisting of: 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-7-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naphthopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-trifluoromethoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 5,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 7,8-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6,8-bis(dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 7-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-7-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-8-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-21-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6,8-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naptho[2,1-b]pyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-chloro-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-chloro-6-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-bromo-8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-bromo-6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-bromo-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-bromo-5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-8-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-bromo-8-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H -1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[(methylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[(4-morpholino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[(1,-dimethylethyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[(2-methylpropyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-methylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-chloro-6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-phenylacetyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6,8-dibromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 8-chloro-5,6-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6,8-dichloro-(S)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-benzylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[[N-(2-furylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-[[N-(2-phenylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-iodo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; and 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid.
 50. The method of claim 43, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is selected from the group consisting of formulas:

and any combination thereof.
 51. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase inhibitor comprises a composition of the formula:

wherein A is selected from the group consisting of partially unsaturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl and partially unsaturated or unsaturated carbocyclic rings; wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl, wherein R¹ is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or more radicals selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo, alkoxy and alkylthio; wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of methyl or amino; and wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of a radical selected from H, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, oxo, cyano, carboxyl, cyanoalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, haloalkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkenyl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, acyl, alkylthioalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, aralkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aralkylthioalkyl, aralkoxyalkyl, alkoxyaralkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, N-arylaminocarbonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkylamino, N-arylamino, N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl, N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, aryloxy, aralkoxy, arylthio, aralkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, N-arylaminosulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminosulfonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 52. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is selected from the group consisting of:

and any combination thereof.
 53. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof is selected from the group consisting of:

and any combination thereof.
 54. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 55. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 56. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises 4-[4-(methyl)-sulfonyl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-2 (5H)-furanone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 57. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises, 4-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 58. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises, 2-(6-methylpyrid-3-yl)-3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-chloropyridine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 59. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises, 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl], or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 60. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises, N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl)phenyl]sulfonyl], or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 61. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises, 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 62. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises, (S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 63. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises, 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3 (2H)-pyridzainone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 64. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises a compound of the formula:

wherein: R¹⁶ is methyl or ethyl; R¹⁷ is chloro or fluoro; R¹⁸ is hydrogen or fluoro; R¹⁹ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy or hydroxy; R²⁰ is hydrogen or fluoro; R²¹ is chloro, fluoro, trifluoromethyl or methyl, provided that R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are not all fluoro when R¹⁶ is ethyl and R¹⁹ is H; or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof.
 65. The method of claim 64, wherein: R¹⁶ is ethyl; R¹⁷ and R¹⁹ are chloro; R¹⁸ and R²⁰ are hydrogen; and and R²¹ is methyl.
 66. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises a compound of the formula:

wherein: X is O or S; J is a carbocycle or a heterocycle; R²² is NHSO₂CH₃ or F; R²³ is H, NO₂, or F; and R²⁴ is H, NHSO₂CH₃, or (SO₂CH₃)C₆H₄; or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester, or a prodrug thereof.
 67. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises a compound of the formula:

wherein: T and M independently are phenyl, naphthyl, a radical derived from a heterocycle comprising 5 to 6 members and possessing from 1 to 4 heteroatoms, or a radical derived from a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms; Q¹, Q², L¹ or L² are independently hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, or lower methoxy having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and at least one of Q¹, Q², L¹ or L² is in the para position and is —S(O)_(n)—R, wherein n is 0, 1, or 2 and R is a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a lower haloalkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an —SO₂NH₂; or, Q¹ and Q² are methylenedioxy; or L¹ and L² are methylenedioxy; and R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, and R²⁸ are independently hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, lower haloalkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aromatic radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, furyl and pyridyl; or, R²⁵ and R²⁶ are O; or, R²⁷ and R²⁸ are O; or, R²⁵, R²⁶, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms; or, R²⁷, R²⁸, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms; or an isomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester, or a prodrug thereof.
 68. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof comprises a chromene compound.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the chromene compound is a benzopyran or substituted benzopyran analog.
 70. The method of claim 69, wherein the benzopyran or substituted benzopyran analog is selected from the group consisting of benzothiopyrans, dihydroquinolines and dihydronaphthalenes.
 71. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof comprises a tricyclic compound.
 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the tricyclic compound comprises a benzenesulfonamide or methylsulfonylbenzene.
 73. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof comprises a phenyl acetic acid derivative.
 74. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor comprises:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 75. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, or prodrug thereof is selected from the group consisting of: 3-[(3-Chloro-phenyl)-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-methylene]-dihydro-furan-2-one; 8-acetyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-imidazo(1,2-a); 5,5-dimethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole; 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-(3,5-bis(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-(3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-(4-chloro-3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[4-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H -pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[3-cyano-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[4-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; 4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-7-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[3.4]oct-6-ene; 5-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; 4-[6-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 5-(3,5-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; 5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene; 4-[6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole; 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-methylthiazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)thiazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-benzylaminothiazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(2-propylamino)thiazole; 2-[(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]thiazole; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole; 1-methylsulfonyl-4-[1,1-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl]benzene; 4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene; 4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dien-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-pyridine-3-carbonitrile; 2-bromo-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-pyridine-3-carbonitrile; 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-pyridine-3-carbonitrile; 4-[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; 2-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; 2-methyl-4-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; 2-methyl-6-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; 4-[2-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-1H-imidazole; 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole; 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole; 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 2-(3-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4-[2-(3-methylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(4-methoxy-3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 1-allyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole; 4-[1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]benzenesulfonamide; N-phenyl-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide; ethyl [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-(2-phenylethyl)-1H-pyrazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-(2-phenylethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole; 1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(2-thiophenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; 2-ethoxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(2-propynyloxy)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; 2-bromo-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine; 4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-difluorophenyl]benzenesulfonamide; 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzene; 5-difluoromethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-phenylisoxazole; 4-[3-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-difluoromethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 1-[2-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 1-[2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 1-[2-(4-methylthiophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl) cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 1-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 1-[2-(2,3-difluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 4-[2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 1-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene; 4-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-5-yl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; ethyl 2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]-2-benzyl-acetate; 2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]acetic acid; 2-(tert-butyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyloxazole; 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole; 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; 6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-methylsulfonyl-2 (5H)-furanone; 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; 2-methyl-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine; 4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide; [2-trifluoromethyl-5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[2-methyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; 4-[5-(2-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; [2-(2-chloro-6-fluoro-phenylamino)-5-methyl-phenyl]-acetic acid; N-(4-Nitro-2-phenoxy-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide or nimesulide; N-[6-(2,4-difluoro-phenoxy)-1-oxo-indan-5-yl]-methanesulfonamide; N-[6-(2,4-Difluoro-phenylsulfanyl)-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl]-methanesulfonamide, soldium salt; N-[5-(4-fluoro-phenylsulfanyl)-thiophen-2-yl]-methanesulfonamide; 3-(3,4-Difluoro-phenoxy)-4-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-5-methyl-5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-5H-furan-2-one; (5Z)-2-amino-5-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]-4 (5H)-thiazolone; N-[3-(formylamino)-4-oxo-6-phenoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-7-yl]-methanesulfonamide; (6aR,10aR)-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-6a,7, 10,10a-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-carboxylic acid; 4-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]dihydro-2-methyl-2H-1,2-oxazin-3 (4H)-one; 6-dioxo-9H-purin-8-yl-cinnamic acid; 4-[4-(methyl)-sulfonyl)phenyl]-3-phenyl-2 (5H)-furanone; 4-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl); 2-(6-methylpyrid-3-yl)-3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-chloropyridine; 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]; N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl)phenyl]sulfonyl]; 4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide; (S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3 (2H)-pyridzainone; 2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naptho[2,1-b]pyran-3-carboxylic acid; 6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid; and [2-(2,4-dichloro-6-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-phenylamino)-5-propyl-phenyl]-acetic acid. 